The Tempe Sound - Exhibition and Events

A YEAR OF MUSIC at TEMPE HISTORY MUSEUM

Break out that awesome concert T-shirt, turn the dial on the Way Back Machine to the Tempe Music Scene and get ready to party. The Tempe Sound exhibition will rock the Tempe History Museum for nearly a year. It's all part of the Tempe Music Revival.

THE EXHIBITION

More than 2,500 square feet of exhibition space in the Tempe History Museum and 25 concerts, lectures and gallery openings will tell the story of music in Tempe from Nov. 14, 2014 -Oct. 4, 2015. Tempe History Museum is located at 809 E. Southern Ave., next to the Tempe Public Library. Like us on Facebook for historic photos, stories and last minute event information.

It’s the museum’s privilege to display hundreds of pieces of music paraphernalia honoring groups such as The Refreshments, St. Madness, Walt Richardson and the Morningstar Band and many others. Get a look at guitars used by Doug Hopkins of the Gin Blossoms, heavy metal costumes, platinum records and more. Jam out at the listening station and play the drums while you’re there. There's even a replica of the Long Wong's stage.

COMMUNITY ROOM

AZ Rock Star Gold Series

Nov. 14, 2014 - Jan. 25, 2015

Enjoy several paintings of contemporary Arizona bands by Deon Doughty. See the beautiful faces of Walt Richardson and others, including members of The Sugar Thieves, What Laura Says, Japhy’s Descent. Meet the artist on Nov. 14, the exhibition’s opening night. See Doughty's portrait of Walt Richardson to the left.

Elvis “The Cat” Del Monte
March 10, 2015 – May 31, 2015

Frankie Martinez, better known by a stage name Elvis the Cat Del Monte, was a fixture on Mill Avenue in the 1990s. He frequently took the microphone and performed cover songs with Tempe bands like The Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop. He was also a prolific artist, and was well known for designing flyers for bands selling his work at local shows. This exhibition showcases the art of this beloved Tempe character.

Rock City: Photos from the Archives of Phoenix New Times
June 2, 2015 – Aug 23, 2015
The Rolling Stones, U2, BB King and so many other incredibly famous artists performed in Tempe. Explore a variety of photographs of great musicians at Tempe venues curated from the archives of the more than 30 years of music coverage by the Phoenix New Times.

CONCERTS, LECTURES AND EVENTS

Performances at the Museum sponsored by Papa Murphy's PizzaIt’s not often that the artists performing talk about their inspirations behind each song, share stories of how their band came together and discuss trends in music while on stage. Hear great Tempe bands play, talk about their experiences and answer questions from the audience in the 200-seat Community Room at the Tempe History Museum.

Third Thursdays at the Museum: The Tempe SoundThis free series will bring Tempe music experts to talk about everything from radio shows to music venues. Refreshments are served. The first lecture takes place Nov. 20, 2014, at 7 p.m. Check www.tempe.gov/museumevents for a schedule of speakers and topics.